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Investors in China should brace for even greater volatility as risks multiply
Thursday 17 Mar 2022Amid all the concerns on investors’ minds, China has risen to the fore after technology stocks were crushed earlier this week. Due a combination of factors, the Hang Seng Tech index collapsed 11% on 14 March to its lowest level since before the pandemic. The following day it fell by a further 8.1%...
ITV shares dive 30% on content cost shock
Thursday 10 Mar 2022Shares in free-to-air broadcaster ITV ( ITV ) , slumped by nearly 30% on 3 March, despite the group announcing better than expected results. Investors were shocked by the marked increase in content spend, and questioned the viability of ITV’s new streaming platform ITVX. Despite being in lockdown...
Surge in commodity prices threatens to derail the global economy
Thursday 10 Mar 2022Prices of everything from oil and wheat to nickel are surging amid forecasts that supplies from Russia and Ukraine will be disrupted. This threatens to hurt corporate earnings and curb business investment, and at the same time cause consumers to scale back their spending, both leading to economic...
The retailers on discount after a New Year rout
Thursday 10 Mar 2022Consumer sentiment has deteriorated significantly in recent months due to high inflation, with the cost of living at decade highs and latterly, amid concerns over the escalating hostilities in Ukraine. Combined with the earnings impact of inflationary pressures, this has driven the share prices of...
Testing times: What the Ukraine crisis means for investments
Thursday 03 Mar 2022For now, the escalating conflict in Ukraine shows no signs of easing. After the initial shock, markets were hopeful the economic impact of the war might be contained as the West’s opening salvo of sanctions in response to Russia’s invasion (24 Feb) were weaker than some had anticipated. However,...
Investors unconvinced by Lloyds strategy after earnings disappointment
Thursday 03 Mar 2022Even on a down day for the markets prompted by war in Ukraine the 9% fall in Lloyds Banking ( LLOY ) shares on 24 February was notable as it reported full year results. Earnings were weaker than forecast due to higher-than-expected fraud costs and restructuring charges. The market appeared...
The market impact of Russia’s Ukrainian incursion
Thursday 24 Feb 2022A de facto invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces has ramped up market volatility and sent oil prices to the cusp of $100 per barrel and safe-haven gold to within touching distance of $1,900 an ounce, at the time of writing (22 Feb). Hopes of a de-escalation are looking increasing forlorn as...
Pubs and restaurants could see another bumper run
Thursday 24 Feb 2022Despite significant pressure on family finances from the rising of cost of borrowing and living, Numis analysts Tim Barrett and Richard Stuber believe parts of the leisure sector could soon enjoy a big earnings boost. They say demand for pubs and restaurants is now above 2019 levels and should...
The inflation signals keep lighting up
Thursday 24 Feb 2022February’s flash PMI (purchasing manager index) data (21 Feb) showed the UK economy rebounding strongly from the recent Omicron related lull in activity with the services component registering an eight-month high of 61.8. Readings over 50 signal an expanding economy. Cost pressures remained...
Introducing our new column on US markets: Wall Street Week
Thursday 24 Feb 2022UK investors are increasingly interested in US stock markets given the breadth of companies and ease at which you can buy and sell shares listed on places like the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq. The S&P 500, Dow Jones and Nasdaq indices are closely watched by investors around the world,...